youth sports conference

“The Youth Sports Congress is a great event to network and get up-to-date on the trends and issues in youth sports. We got a lot of new ideas this year and it’s good to see what other organizations are doing to improve their sports. Also, the people you meet at Congress are a great resource when you have a question. It’s easy to just send a quick email since you know them now and it’s not as awkward to ask for information or a favor.”

Miste Adams, Recreation Superintendent,National Trail Parks and Recreation District, Springfield, OH
“From my first experience I realized that attending Congress is something that is instrumental in my profession and every year I learn something new. The trends change and you get to meet more people in the industry that really helps me grow personally and professionally.”

Brent Mosbacher, Recreation Coordinator, City of Novato, Novato, CA
“Being military, attending the NAYS Youth Sports Congress is a nice way to get involved with the outside non-military youth sports organizations. To see what they are doing in their programs is a wonderful experience.”

Angie Gadomski, Youth Sports and Fitness Director, Ellsworth Air Force Base, Piedmont, SD
“I did not know so many other people loved kids like we did and it’s great to see and meet a bunch of individuals who love youth sports like we do.”

Roderick Mitchell, Coach, Brown Missionary Baptist Church, Southaven, MS
“I have never been to a conference that gives as much bang for your buck as NAYS Youth Sports Congress!”

Becky Shaddle, Athletic Director, Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club, Mercer Island, WA
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What is the Youth Sports Congress?

After careful consideration of the ongoing spread of COVID-19, the 2020 NAYS Youth Sports Congress that was scheduled for November 3-6, 2020 in Baltimore, MD in conjunction with the AB Show has been canceled. This difficult decision was made out of an abundance of caution and safety for all attendees, presenters and our staff. We are committed to offering a virtual option to provide an opportunity to earn continuing education units. We are working on the details now and will announce the final plan by the end of August. Click here for more information.

The NAYS Youth Sports Congress is a three-day comprehensive educational experience designed specifically for youth sports administrators! This premiere training comprises three events to be the #1 conference specifically dedicated to youth sports professionals. The events allow attendees to participate in the NAYS Youth Sports Congress, the Athletic Business Show and maintain or earn their NAYS Certified Youth Sports Administrator credential by earning continuing education or participating in the NAYS Academy for Youth Sports Administrators, all at one location for one special registration!

The Youth Sports Congress attracts youth sports professionals and volunteers, any park and recreation professional who works with children in any capacity, military youth sports directors and other representatives to discuss cutting edge topics in the field of youth sports.

The Youth Sports Congress is open to any and all youth sports administrators although the entire event is designed for existing NAYS Certified Youth Sports Administrators (CYSAs) to stay up-to-date with a wide range of informative subjects and hot topics in youth sports, plus maintain their certification by earning continuing education. Youth Sports Congress attendees can participate in any of the educational sessions offered, the keynote address, welcome receptions, award session, AB expo and much more!

NAYS also offers attendees who have yet to earn their CYSA an opportunity to participate in a Special Onsite NAYS Academy for Youth Sports Administrators. Included in the General Youth Sports Congress registration is an opportunity to earn the NAYS Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) credential. Attendees are invited to participate in the Special Onsite Academy portion of the event that provides a foundation of essential information as well as resources and networking opportunities for those charged with overseeing local youth sports experiences. We have scheduled the entire event to provide an opportunity to become a NAYS CYSA and participate in the Youth Sports Congress sessions, plus all the other scheduled events!  After the event, participants will be provided access to complete the certification process via the Online Academy system.

For many years, NAYS has co-located the Youth Sports Congress and the NAYS Academy for Youth Sports Administrators at the annual Athletic Business Show - the premier educational event and trade show for athletic, fitness and recreation professionals for more than three decades. Anyone connected to sports and recreation opportunities for children and youth in any capacity should register via NAYS for the Youth Sports Congress since attendees are invited to attend everything NAYS offers, as well as the AB education sessions. Plus the Athletic Business Show exhibit hall provides attendees an opportunity to meet 200+ fitness and recreation companies and equipment vendors. 


Why should you attend?

FOR NEW ATTENDEES:

  1. Learn and Grow – As a new attendee you have the great opportunity to participate in the Youth Sports Congress sessions with existing CYSAs and expand your youth sports knowledge. These sessions are specifically designed to provide practical information about topics affecting youth sports today!

  2. Attend the Academy – The Youth Sports Congress is designed to allow participants to attend the NAYS Academy for Youth Sports Administrators while also attending all the other planned activities. Completing the NAYS Academy is the only avenue to become a NAYS Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA) so these joined events let you get the best of both and essentially participate in two courses.

  3. Get CERTIFIED – Once you have completed the Onsite portion of the NAYS Academy, you will be provided access to the Online NAYS Academy to complete the certification process. Once you return home, you will have 60 days to complete the process to earn the NAYS Certified Youth Sports Administrator credential.

  4. Gain access to the CYSA Area – After becoming a NAYS CYSA, you will have continuous access to your very own CYSA Profile area within the Online NAYS Academy to communicate with one another and to access useful information, tools and resources throughout your entire two-year NAYS CYSA cycle.

  5. Networking – Join other new attendees becoming a NAYS CYSA as well as long-time NAYS CYSAs and other professionals in our field to learn about other communities and youth sports related topics happening around the country. 

For returning attendees:

  1. Sessions – As a returning attendee you already know that the Congress and Athletic Business Show sessions can provide practical, cutting-edge information to you, your organization and your community to improve youth sports in today’s changing landscape.

  2. Keynote – Athletic Business always provides fantastic well-known keynote speakers for all attendees to enjoy.

  3. Earn Continuing Education and SAVE – By attending the wide variety of sessions, you obtain continuing education to maintain your NAYS CYSA credential for another two years. The continuing education processing fees are included in your registration so you will receive a transcript and your NAYS CYSA will be updated after the event with no processing fees.

  4. Exhibit Hall – More than 250+ manufacturers will be present at the Athletic Business Show. You can find the latest equipment and services to help your organization move forward and grow.

  5. Networking – Attendees are invited to a number of planned socials and receptions that provide opportunities to meet other youth sports administrators from around the country. We have also planned some interactive sessions to allow participants to take advantage of our special networking opportunities for learning, sharing information and building camaraderie with youth sports professionals from other communities.